News and Views

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The virtual cockpit in JSF is far beyond that in Novalogics F22 Raptor, more closely resembling that of EF2000. As EF2000, it also is rendered at 320x300 in spite of the resolution of terrain and objects in general.

However, you can slew the F2 cockpit (keypad keys) and the padlock mode is based on the vc view. The cockpit is readable even when not zoomed in to a particular MFD, but you can't use the mouse to click on controls in the general MFD view.

When you zoom in, however, you CAN use the mouse which becomes active when you hold the ALT key down. (In the TM file I have designed T1 activates the mouse. You can also REM this line out and remove the REM for the proper mouse line at the top of the file to use your cursor button on the TQS as a mouse). Obviously this is a fairly efficient and friendly way to access control functions and this is not an option in Novalogics newest sim. One disclaimer: the mouse marker (a hand) is very dark and difficult to see at times unless you have nightvision on.

Views in general are nicely done in JSF. Unfortunately, one nice feature of DiDs sims has not been included: the ability to access various views while paused. Since SA in PC simulations does not yet rival the real thing, its handy be able to move around MFDs and change control options while in PAUSE mode. However, at least you can use the mouse to do this, a feature left out of ADF.

And by the way, the IFDL link appears in outside views. I know that for some having an external view of the aircraft is a non feature, but personally I like it very much, and being able to still see the battlefield environment is somewhat important! I wish this feature were added to ADF or at least selectable.

Browse views include standard views such as target, target to player, player to target, player to wingman, incoming and outgoing missile views, chase views etc. Outside views are mostly pannable and you may also zoom in or out.

The HUD and HMD are laid out in a typical fashion, with less clutter (because of simplified avionics) than in some sims. You can turn the HMD off using KP. while in the forward or VC view, but I haven't yet found a way to brighten or dim the HMD or to change HMD colors.

Mission Planning and Wingmen Control

Mission planning is straight forward. The map comes up after a typed welcome and general scenario screen, and then you are free to choose your target and adjust your waypoints. I say adjust because you can click on SUGGEST to have waypoints placed for you, but you are given about twice as many as you need so you may want to delete a few. The interface is nicely done, with little prompts on the bottom of the pop up menus that instruct you in the control interface. You can also click on Target Info to pull up photos and recon data for both targets and expected threats.

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But don't expect the editor from iF22 here. You can't select nearly as many display options although there is one level of zoom. You can click on any waypoint to toggle it from terrain following through 8000, 16000, 24000 and 32000 feet altitude. Bringing the mouse over any waypoint pops up a menu that tells you the current alt of the waypoint, the distance to previous waypoint, and the distance back to home plate.

If you like you can choose alternate targets, though its suggested that you should plan to take out your primaries if you want to make good progress in the campaign. The map is nicely done with topographic lines, so you can place waypoints for effective terrain masking. However, the map is quite dark in places and the lines are sometimes hard to see. It would be nice if there were a gamma setting somewhere. You can click on the MISSION PLANNER label in the top right in order to declutter the menus so you can see the entire route.

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Then you are ready to choose your wingmen. You are limited to three (what more do you want?) and you also decide which aircraft your wingmen will fly: F-22, X35B or X36B. Then its time to arm these puppies. A quick toggle allows you to choose between a STEALTH priority (no external weapons) or maximum damage payload. Standard A2A fare includes Aim-120s and Aim9X Sidewinders. The A2G stuff includes JDAMs , the JSOW and the AGM-154A. You can also adjust your fuel load, no sense carrying more extra weight than you need.

Enough of that noise, you are ready to fly! Depending on your default settings you will find yourself on the runway or in the sky. If the former, holding the SHF key down brings up the COMMS. Your initial choices are these:

• All: 1 Key
• Two (Wingman 2): 2 Key
• Three (Wingman 3): 3 Key
• Four (Wingman 4): 4 Key
• Tower: 5 Key
• AWACS: 6 Key

Now you know what I mean about realism, in spite of the more moderate aims of this simulation. Even your basic choices go beyond what EF2000 had to offer in terms of individual control over wingmen, and you have AT LEAST three times more options than you are given in Novalogics F22 Raptor. Not too shabby! If you then select "ALL" you will have this menu:

• Formation: 1 Key
• Engage: 2 Key
• Fire: 3 Key
• Intercept: 4 Key
• Defend: 5 Key
• Navigation: 6 Key
• Status: 7 Key

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Choosing an individual wingman gives you the same menu. Click on defend and you may choose from Radar, Check Six, ECM, Radio, or Lights. Click on Engage and choose from Engage My Threat, Engage at Will, Engage only When Attacked, and Disengage. And not only can you check individual wingman status, you can even select from these status options:

• Fuel
• Action (as "FORMATION!")
• Ammo
• Damage
• Fuel

As you would expect, wingmen will confirm your commands. The sound of voice comms is fairly well done, using different voices for different wingmen. Its better than EF2000 but not quite up to F22: ADF which will likely set the standard for the next year or so. However, wingmen will initiate reports quite frequently and you will also hear from AWACS frequently. Now if only F22: ADF allowed status check and individual control! For TM config files see below.

Multiplay

The Multiplayer game includes in game taunts (totally customizable) and team play. The host can configure the game is a myriad of possible ways.

Multiplayer options with JSF include the following:

Serial Connection
A serial connection is a cable that goes between the Serial or Parallel ports on 2 local machines. JSF only supports 2 players over a serial connection.

Modem Connection
When using a modem the player hosting the game will be waiting a phone-call from the player joining the game. Therefore the player joining will Dial-Up the host when querying for games. JSF only supports 2 players over a modem connection.

IPX Connection
IPX is LAN (Local Area Network) protocol, meaning that without IPX extenders like KALI, the protocol can only be used for local network play. JSF supports up to 8 players with IPX.

TCP/IP Connection
This is an Internet based protocol. The communication over the Internet is either via a Dial-Up connection to your ISP (Internet Service Provider) or over a LAN connected to the Internet. If you are connecting to the Internet over an ISP, you must connect to the ISP before accessing the Multiplayer mode in JSF. JSF supports up to 8 players with TCP/IP.

The following is from the info provided by Innerloop:

Playing JSF on the Mplayer Internet Gaming Service

What is Mplayer?
Mplayer is the #1 multiplayer game service on the Internet. When you play JSF on Mplayer, you'll be able to play against other people from across the Internet in real time. After signing up for Mplayer, you'll join a friendly online community and where you can participate in regular tournaments, contests, and special events. Mplayer offers hundreds of innovative features, including real-time voice-chat which lets you taunt or tease your opponents and praise your team-mates.

Pricing
Mplayer is FREE-there are no charges or monthly fees to play JSF on Mplayer. So How Do I Get Started? Installing Mplayer is simple. Just follow these easy steps and you're on your way to the excitement of online multiplayer gaming!

There are two ways to start the Mplayer installer:

• * From the game CD-ROM Autorun Menu: -select the option to Play on Mplayer
• * From the Windows95' Start Menu select this game and the option to Play
• on Mplayer. This will start the Mplayer installer which will:
• * Check for the presence of an Internet connection-if you don't have an
• Internet Service Provider, we'll give you the option of signing up for one.
• * Check for the presence of a Web Browser-we'll install a copy of
• Microsoft's Internet Explorer" if you need it.
• * Check for Mplayer - if you don't have it, we'll install everything you need!
• Just follow the easy install instructions at the prompts. During the process,
• you'll set up an Mplayer account and select your very own Mplayer member
• name and password.

For more information about Mplayer visit the web site at www.mplayer.com.

SUMMARY

JSF is an amazing first entry into the sim universe. While it lacks some of the in-depth functions of the real F22 and JSF, like shoot lists and EMCON and IR targetting or ability to gain bandit alt and speed via IFDL, it has depth in other areas and is a great deal of fun! If multiplayer comes off as well, this will be a real winner! Furthermore, with graphics resolutions supported up to 1280x1024, as new machines hit the market in 1998 players will be able to crank up detail levels.

With four campaigns with four different types of terrain and varied levels of challenge, this sim has something for everyone. Check it out!

For some more detailed TM files try mine: Korea TM Files

JSF Future Expansion Disk
Innerloop and Eidos are planning to release expansion disks for JSF. The tentative plan calls for two packs, one based on a Naval JSF variant and the other based on a Marine VSTOL JSF variant. Please periodically visit our Website for more information on their release date.

For info on the real jsf.. JSF Program

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